Book in progress
Due to the success of this blog, I am translating the book into book format and adding and expanding the content to make it a full book.

I am going to try this using the "LeanPub" book publishing service and model. You will be able to see preview copies, and contribute your ideas and opinions. This will shape the book making it a great reference for all parents.

About Judo

Judo is a Martial Art, Olympic Sport and Commonwealth sport.
Much like JuJitsu, Kung Fu, Karate, Aikido and other marial arts, Judo is an effective and powerful self defence. It does not however incorporate any kicks or punches. In Judo throws are used along with ground fighting techniques including arm locks, strangles, chokes and pinning techniques.
Judo in Europe is strong, and has been so historically for a long time. Specifically, France and Germany, along with the former Soviet Block countries. European Judo has been instrumental in the progress and history of Judo. The formation of the European Judo Union (EJU) was the for runner to the International Judo Federation (IJF) and is a major force in modern Judo.

In Judo, the attainment level of your child will generally be indicated by the awarding of a Judo Grade and accompanying coloured belt. This can be the cause of some confusion, especially when some systems are different between clubs and associations, not to mention countries and age groups. In this article, we shall look at the area quite generally and try to cover the fundamentals of the the grading systems work in Judo.

Unlike other sports, Judo is also a martial art.
As such, Judo uses a grading system and belts to indicate attainment. Although there are variations, the order of grades generally follows the following rough order:

White
Yellow
Orange
Green
Blue
Brown
Black

The more common variations are to include a red belt for absolute novices. The red belt is often used as red is associated with danger and is used as a visual reminder that the person wearing the red belt has no (or very little) experience and must be looked after by other students. A red belt would normally only be worn for a very short period of time (a few weeks).

At the other end of the spectrum, so to speak, the Black Belt is worn at the attainment of the “Dan Grade”. In the western world, the Black belt is often seen as the pinnacle. In Judo culture however, the Black Belt is often regarded as a sign that you have integrated Judo into your life and are ready to truly begin learning. Opinions vary and every Judo club and Judo person has their own personal view on what getting a Black Belt means.

A Judo Black Belt (Dan grade) will take about 10 years on average to attain. Again systems vary and many factors must be considered; for example, an exceptional competitor may grade quickly. it is worth noting that the founder of Judo (Jigoro Kano), reportedly graded people who made contributions in other ways as (if not more) quickly than those who were physically adept ( In an interview about Jigoro Kano’s Life). many systems operate similarly and your child’s knowledge of say the names of throws can be as important as their ability to throw in competition.

Between White and Black are the “Kyu” grades, which count downwards to Brown which is normally “First Kyu”, with Blue as second and so on. When your child is awarded for example 5th Kyu, they will be allowed and expected to wear a Yellow belt (In this example system, it may be different where you are).

The wearing of belts helps everyone know what level each person is at. The Black Belt wearers in the club will be careful with the Yellow Belts and help them with their techniques. In Randori (free practise) the Yellow Belts can go at 100% against the Black Belts, comfortable that they are of a level to be safe. The Black Belts obviously will not go at 100% against a lower grade.

The belts system helps ensure that everyone is kept safe and has people of appropriate level to train with. During practise sessions, the Blue belts might work together to practise the techniques they need for their Brown belt. In Randori, two players of the same grade should have a even match.
Most grading systems have either a formal or informal method of dividing each Kyu grade into typically two or three partial grades. This is very common with children as it helps to make the steps between belts smaller and ensure that your child progresses regularly and gets that positive feeling from getting “graded up”. These partial grades are often indicated with “stripes”, which often are sewn onto the end of the child’s belt. Your child may be “Blue Belt, 3 Brown stripes” for example, which would mean that they are a Blue Belt, but very close to obtaining their brown belt.

The Kyu grade system (especially when used with “stripes”), provides a very visible indication of progression. Your child will be able to desire and achieve the coloured belts (or stripes) quite quickly and quite regularly. This provides goals to strive for, and rewards for their hard work and dedication.

It is worth discussing the grading system with the coach at your child’s Judo club. There are many many systems and each have their own variations. By gaining a knowledge of the system, you can help ensure your child does not have unrealistic expectations of when they will next be graded. This is a really common cause of upset so as a parent you can ensure that your child gets excited about getting a new belt at the right time, not the wrong one.

As your child progresses through the grades, they come less and less frequently. From a few weeks or months, to several years. The requirements for each grade become more demanding and there are age restrictions and “time in grade” restrictions often. Again, make sure you speak with your club coach or obtain a recent copy of the grading system so you know what restrictions might affect your child.

Teenage boys, often reach brown belt quite young and are forced to wait long periods until they reach the age restriction. This can be an unexpected delay at a difficult age and often results in them dropping out of the sport.

The grading system in Judo, is a great tool to help give your child a sense of progression and achievement. Having a good understanding of the grading system structure (and of course the requirements for the grades) is one way you as a parent can help keep your child enthusiastic about Judo.

This entry was posted by lancew on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at
10:43 am and is filed under
Judo .
You can follow any responses to this entry through the
RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

9 Comments

My name is Ray, I have been a Judoka for 18+ years. I currantly hold the Sr. rank of Sankyu (3rd degree Brown belt). I have been in Judo as a child til now. I had to take a 14 year break due to family issues, but I am in it again and I am furthering my education in Judo. I was reading this artical and I agree with most of what the writer says. But there are some things I dissagree with. First In the Jr. division there are White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple and brown. Striped belts that have a white or black stripe in the center of the entire belt from one end to the other is most commonly used for children in the girls division. If a child starts and tests at the age of 5 or 6 and stays in Judo he or she will be 1st degree Brown (Ikkyu) by the age of 15 or 16. And at the age of 17 to 18 the student may test for Shodan 1st degree Black at the teachers (sensei) descression. Second he or she stated that RED belt is used for new absolute novices. This is not true in the case of USJA the United States Judo Association and IJF the International Judo Federation and USJF the United States Judo Federation. In USJA ranks and 99% of IJF, USJF clubs, the RED belt is held by absolute masters. Masters being 9th and 10th Dans. Even thew Dr. Kano stated there is no limit to what you can accomplish, and very few have ever reached 10th Dan (15 Judokas have been recorded to reach this rank)or Kudan as it is called, that is the belt that one is permitted to wear when one reaches the rank of 9th degree Black. The first level of black belt in Japanese is called Shodan. It literally means “first level” or “beginning step”. Sho (first) is an ideograph that is comprised of two radicals meaning “cloth” and or “knife”. To make a piece of clothing, one first cuts out the pattern on the cloth. The pattern determines the style and look of the final product. If the pattern is out of proportion or in error, the clothes will look bad and not fit properly. In the same way, your initial training to reach black belt is very important because it determines how you will eventually turn out as a black belt. After years of training you have cut the pattern and learned the basic techniques. The promotion to black belt is a recognition of this hard work and a level of accomplishment that one can be proud of. On the other hand, Shodan is really just the beginning, the base, for learning Judo or any martial art. Earning a black belt is like graduating from high school. It indicates you have achieved a basic level of proficiency, learned the fundamental skills and can perform them in a functional manner, and you are now ready to pursue Judo on a more serious and advanced level as a professional or a person seeking an advanced degree would. Of course, the rankings also represent progress towards the ultimate objective of judo which is to improve the self not just physically, but morally as well. Around 1930 the Kodokan created a new belt to recognize the special achievements of high ranking black belts. Jigoro Kano chose to recognize sixth, seventh, and eighth degree black belts with a special obi (belt) made of alternating red and white panels (Kohaku obi). The white color was chosen for purity, and red for the intense desire to train and the sacrifices made. The colors red and white are an enduring symbol of Japan, and they have been used in Judo since Jigoro Kano started the first Red and White Tournament in 1884. Dont get me wrong there are many differant rules in each DOJO (school) but the guidelines in USJA, IJF and USJF are just about set in stone. Some clubs have inclub promotions that are not recorded in IJF, or USJA or USJF records. Many of these organizations require you to purchace a membership to there organization so they may have your rank nation wide sometimes world wide. Just as the writer stated “It is worth discussing the grading system with the coach at your child’s Judo club. There are many systems and each have their own variations. By gaining a knowledge of the system, you can help ensure your child does not have unrealistic expectations of when they will next be graded. This is a really common cause of upset so as a parent you can ensure that your child gets excited about getting a new belt at the right time, not the wrong one”. Judo much like life has it’s ups and downs, but if one stays with it like life they may be able to do the unexpected in anything they do.

I am 9 years old my teacher is called Carlos he was in the olympics for spain. I take a serious amount of time in Judo it is my pride and joy. I have been doing Judo for 8 weeks and have already attain a “dan” and was wondering how long it is normally until you attain a “yellow belt”

Hi,
Well come to the Judo family! Sounds like you are amazingly lucky and have found a club with a great level of coach.
How long it takes to attain each grade depends on your country and club… and of course on you!
Work hard and attend regularly and you will progress.

Normally we refer to Yellow Belt as a “Kyu” grade rather than a “Dan”.
Dan being for Black belt and above, but perhaps it is different when translated across from Japanese to Spanish and the into English.

My son wanted to sign up for BJJ classes and I talked to educators and did some looking around and wasnt impressed by curriculum offered.. if any!!

The school next to our place did a local news human interest story and they were showing kids 8-10 learning how to do rear naked chokes. A neighbour whose kids competed in judo explained to me the restrictions that are put during competitions and even teaching of dangerous moves in judo.

I preferred the structure that judo seemed to offer over BJJ.
This might be totally wrong but too much seemed ‘left to discretion’ of the teachers when it came to BJJ classes. Sort of like the McDojos of the 70s used to do.

I will definitely pass this post along to people when Im asked more about judo, it has very good information that parents would need.

hey i just started back judo after 13 years im 24 now. i was a green belt when i left due to moving and not been near a club :(. i enjoy it. my trainer says ive still got it in me and i did really well to say i havnt been for that long. in a few week i will be back to myself.. its all in the head you never forget. but i was doing junior training.. but now it senior and its all new to me.. hopfully i will get back on track

My children have been judoka since the age of 5 which was the youngest they were allowed to start. Initially they progressed through the mon grades with a grading about every 3 m with the rest of their class. Their classes are divided up so that children of about the same age/size/rank are together as much as possible. Unfortunately my children are all small for their ages so they have tended to stay in lower classes for longer. The end result was that they did not move up classes as soon as other children that started at the same time and so did not get graded as often because they were in classes teaching things well below their level. Also the children who had been coming for shorter periods caught them up in ranking and then they all progressed together from there. This meant that over time I struggled to keep them encouraged and as they got discouraged they lost enthusiasm. They could not see any point in trying hard as it did not result in progression. There was no drive to stay top of the class. Now after several years of continuing to go they don’t even really try at all and have dropped in ability to the bottom of their classes. Two have kept going only because of the physical workout and self-discipline practice and one has stopped going altogether. My youngest is still a 9th mon after starting 7 years ago at the age of 5y. Does this sound normal to you? Their sensei is very experienced and very good and I have a lot of respect for him. But I am not convinced that this is normal practice in British Judo.